LONDON
Hundreds of Goans from Wicklow and Dublin participated in a pilgrimage to the Knock Shrine, an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Ireland, on July 12.
Milla Hancock, a Goan who hails from Arambol and one of the organisers of the pilgrimage from Wicklow, Ireland, described the pilgrimage as “truly a prayerful and unforgettable journey from the moment we left until we returned home.”
“It was heartwarming to see so many people come together with one purpose, to pray, to give thanks, and to seek Our Lady’s blessings,” said Milla.
Three buses travelled from Dublin, and one bus came from Wicklow. While Desmond Cardozo, a leader of the Goan community in Dublin, organised the pilgrims from Dublin, Milla helped him gather the pilgrims from Wicklow.
On their arrival at Knock, the Goan pilgrims gathered for the Holy Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Jorge Fernandes. Milla served as Eucharistic Minister during the celebration, while the choir was organised by Floscy Gracias and a group from Dublin.
In his homily, Fr Fernandes reminded the congregation that many of them have left their homeland of Goa and now live in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and many other parts of the world.
“We may be far from home, but we must remain united. We should support one another, care for one another, pray for one another, and stand together through life’s joys and difficulties. When we stay connected in faith, love, and friendship, we become stronger and can withstand any storm that comes our way,” said Fr Fernandes.
After Mass, the pilgrims spent time walking around the Knock shrine.
“Several people in our group had visited Knock before, yet they eagerly joined this pilgrimage again because every visit feels unique and spiritually enriching. Knock truly is a place where one experiences peace, healing, and grace,” said Milla.
After their prayers and visit to the shrine, the pilgrims enjoyed a lunch organised by Desmond. A family from Kerala had prepared the meal for everyone, and their generosity and hospitality were deeply appreciated.
“As we made our journey back home, the atmosphere on the buses was filled with joy. We sang many beautiful Goan hymns and songs, laughed together, shared stories, and thanked God for such a blessed day. It was much more than a day trip; it was a true pilgrimage that nourished both our spiritual lives and our sense of community and humanity,” said Milla.
Milla expressed her gratitude to Desmond Cardozo for organising the pilgrimage with dedication and care.
“His efforts brought so many people together for a day filled with prayer, fellowship, and blessings. I am sure this will be the first of many more pilgrimages together. I would also like to sincerely thank everyone from Wicklow who joined us. Their presence, friendship, and prayers made the journey even more special. I would also like to thank the volunteers who were very actively involved in the arrangements,” she said.
“I encourage anyone visiting Ireland to make time to visit Our Lady of Knock. It is a place of deep peace, prayer, healing, and countless blessings. May Our Lady continue to watch over and protect us all, strengthen our faith, and keep our communities united wherever we may be.”
